[Pulmonary embolism after liposuction]

A previously healthy 35-year-old woman developed recurrent syncope and dyspnoea two days after extensive thigh liposuction for lipedema. CT pulmonary angiography revealed a large saddle embolus with peripheral emboli. Fat embolism was initially suspected; however, imaging findings and laboratory parameters supported a thromboembolic origin. Treatment with anticoagulation was complicated by postoperative bleeding. This case report highlights the importance of considering both fat embolism and thromboembolic pulmonary embolism after liposuction.